Fighting Saints Release 30-Man Roster, Affiliate List

DUBUQUE, Iowa — The Dubuque Fighting Saints have released the 30-man roster and affiliate list today. The 30 players attending training camp will take part in preseason games, and will be trimmed down to a 23-man roster, which will be released closer to Opening Night, presented by American Trust, on October 6. The full roster and affiliate list can be found on DubuqueFightingSaints.com.

The 2018–19 Dubuque Fighting Saints preseason roster contains seven returning players, including forwards Matias Maccelli, Logan Pietila and Jan Kern, along with defensemen Jacob Semik, Aidan Fulp and Michael Feenstra. It also includes a blast from the past in an overager who returns from Miami University of Ohio, Willie Knierim. The 2014 USHL Tender will suit up for the Saints and wear his ever-recognizable #27.

Knierim, along with James Sanchez and J.D. Greenway, return from the college ranks to bolster a strong Fighting Saints roster. Sanchez joins the Saints from the University of Michigan, and Greenway from the University of Wisconsin.

New to town is NHL bloodline forward Ben Sanderson, whose father, Geoff, played in 1,104 NHL games for seven different NHL franchises, and a new set of dynamic twins, Ty and Dylan Jackson, who are the sons of professional hockey player Paul Jackson, who played in the Central Hockey League.

The team also received a boost with NAHL talent, including forwards Adrian Danchenko, Bram Scheerer, Patrick Smyth, and Vince Marino, and defensemen Kaelan Taylor, Sam Martel and Jackson Decker.

The Saints will bring two goalies into camp, including Vancouver Canucks prospect Matthew Thiessen, and St. Cloud State commit Aaron Randazzo. Thiessen leads the charge as the favorite to be the starter, as he was named an MJHL First Team All-Star, an MJHL All-Rookie, had the best GAA in the MJHL (2.06), and was part of the MJHL champion Steinbach Pistons. Randazzo excelled during the Saints’ 2018 Main Camp and earned a spot on the preseason roster.

Tickets for all games are available now! Be part of the action when preseason starts on September 15, or during Opening Night, presented by American Trust on October 6, by calling the box office at 563.583.6880, or by going to DubuqueFightingSaints.com.